Roundabout



' Sept. 6, 1927, 7 7

K. J. STRIGL ROUNDABOUT Filed A ril 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorney Sept. 6, K. J. STRIGL ROUNDABOUT Filed April 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorney Patented Sept. ,6, 1927.

UNITED STATES) KARL J'QSEF STRIGL, OF NEW YbRK, N. Y.

BOUNDABOU'I.

Application filed April 14, 1927. Serial No. 183,744.-

body thereof for rotating the propeller,

a supporting frame being provided for suspending the aeroplane, in such a manner as to enable the same to rotate therein, due to the rotation of the propeller.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a suitable electric motor is arranged within the body of the aeroplane and operatively associated with the propeller, means being provided for conducting current to the motor, while the same is travelling in a circular path, said means being 'of simple and efliciently operating construction.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my imroved roundabout the aeroplane unit bemg disposed in full-line operating position,

I and in dotted line stationary position.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation, of the aeroplane unit, partly broken away for disclosing the motor drive for the propeller and the means for conducting the electric current to the motor at all positions of the aeroplane within the supporting frame struc-' ture. Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken through the aeroplane, and through the current conducting unit.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the unit, taken substantially upon the line .whlch they are extended to a sultable switch '29, located upon the frame and in circuit 4-4ofFi e3,and Figure 5 1s a section through the supporting socket for the aeroplane suspending bar having a ball u on the u per end'thereof for loose disposition withln said socket.

Now having particular reference to the drawings, my novel invention consists of a suitable supporting structure preferably consisting of an elevated horizontal bar 5 and vertical supporting legs 6-6 at theends thereof. Arranged upon the under side of .the horizontal bar 5 of the frame,-and at 65 the center thereof, is a semi-spherical shaped forwardly and is operatively connected to said propeller. Directly in front of the motor 12 is a pair of spaced vertical standards 14-14 to which are pivoted the ends of an inverted V-shaped bracket 15, provided at its upper end with a pin 16, upon the end of which is a bearing plate 17.

Arranged upon the bracket 15 and through the center of which projects the pin 16 is a circular plate 18, provided upon its top side With-a pair of spaced concentric conductor rings 19-19, that are electrically connected to the motor 12 by the wires disclosed in Figure 3. Said pin 16 projects through the bottom wall of a circular cup 20, while arranged between the bottom wall of said cup and the plate 17 of the pin 16 are bearings 21. Threaded within the upper'end of this, cup 20' is a plug 22, throu h the center of which is rigidly arran edtlie'-- lower end ofa hollow suspension ar 23 and through which electric conducting wires 24-24= pass, the lower ends thereof being attached to electrical brushes 25-25 arranged within arm carr ing sleeves 26-26 upon the outerside of the cup 20, which brushes are preferably of the spring depressed character for wiping engagement with the circular conductors 19-19. Y

The upper end" of the suspension bar 23 is equipped. with a ball shaped head 27; arranged, within the frame carrying socket 7. 95 The wires 24-24 extend through-an opening 28 in the upper end of this bar 23, after with av source of electric supply.

Obviously, when the motor 12 is under operation, the propeller 11 will be rotated,

for causing the travel of the aeroplane 9 in .a circular path as indicated by the arrows in Fi re 1. v Preferabl the aero lane 9 is eql iipped with the usu al steering i'udder 30, at its rear end, and operatively connected with a steering wheel 31'within the aeroplane body, that may be operated by a passenger within the aeroplane or that maybe set prior to the operation of the device, for regulating the path of movement of the aeroplane.

The form of the invention shown and described is foruse in the carrying of passengers at an amusement park or the like, but it is to be understood that the roundabout may be constructed of miniature formation and the propeller l1 operated by a small electric or spring motor within the aeroplane so that the device may be employed by children on a table or other support. Furthermore the roundabout unit may e of a formation other than an aeroplane as shown. The suspension member may also be in the form of a chain, cable or the like.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is:-

1. In a roundabout of the character described, a supporting frame, a socket associated with an elevated unit of the frame, a roundabout unit, a suspension member, a head at one end of the member for universal movement within the frame socket, and a pivotal and rotary connection between the opposite'end of the member and said rounda out unit, said pivotal connection consisting of a bracket pivoted to the roundabout unit, a pin upon the upper end of the bracket, a cup arranged over the upper end of the pin, a disc upon the inner end of the pin for engagement with the bottom wall of the cup, a plug within the upper end of the cup, and a connection between the plug and the adjacent end of said suspension member.

2. In a roundabout of the character described, a supporting frame, a socket associated with an elevated unit of the frame, a roundabout unit, a suspension member, a head at one end of the member for universal movement within the frame socket, and a secured in the upper open end of the cup,

pivotal and rotary connection between the opposite end of the member and said roundabout unit, said pivotal connection consisting of a bracket pivoted to the roundabout unit, a pin upon the upper end of the bracket, a cup arranged'over the upper end of the pin, a disc upon the inner end of the pin for engagement with the bottom wall of the cup, a plug within the upper end of the cup, and a connection between the plug and the adjacent end of said suspension member, said roundabout unit being in the form of an aeroplane, a propeller mounted for rotation upon the forward end of the plane, an electric motor within the planeand operatively connected with said propeller, a plate arranged upon the bracket pin beneath the cup, a pair of spaced concentric contact rings arranged upon the top face of the plate, a pair of electrical contact brushes associated with the cup for engagement with the contact ring, and'ha-ving circuits with a source of electric supply, said contact ring being in circuit with the motor.

3. In combination, a suspension member, a roundabout, means for attaching the round about to the suspension member, comprising a pin extending upwardly from the roundabout, a cup having an opening in the bot- '70 tom thereof through which said in extends, a head on the upper end of the pin arranged within the cup, said cup being adapted for rotation about the pin, a plug removably the lower end of the suspension member extending through the plug, and a head carried by the lower end of the suspension member for disposition within the cup against the underside of the plug.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

KARL J OSEF STRIGL. 

